Pelican Press

Google Photos to Add SynthID AI Watermark to Images Enhanced With Magic Editor Google Photos to Add SynthID AI Watermark to Images Enhanced With Magic Editor Google Photos is getting a new functionality that will allow people to check whether an image was enhanced using artificial intelligence (AI) or not. Images edited using Reimagine in Magic Editor will be labelled using SynthID, a watermarking technology by the Mountain View-based tech giant. The label can be viewed within the “About this image” section of the image and can also be detected by specialised tools. The move is likely aimed at reducing the instances of potential deepfakes that can be generated using Google’s AI image editing tool. Google Photos to Add AI Watermark In a blog post, the tech giant announced that Google Photos will now automatically add AI Watermark to Images enhanced using Magic Editor. This will primarily apply to the Reimagine tool that adds new elements to an image using the Imagen 3 AI model. However, other usage of Magic Editor will also result in the addition of the watermark. Google has developed a new technology called SynthID, which will add an invisible and imperceptible tag to the image. While the tag can be seen in the About this Image menu, it can also be detected via specialised detection tools. This watermark cannot be removed by cropping, adding filters, or copying the image as the information is added to the pixels of the image. Notably, SynthID was developed by Google DeepMind and can be added to AI-generated text, images, audio, and videos. In each case, the watermark is not added superficially but within the structure of the media. For instance, in videos, it is added to each frame of the video. The move behind adding watermarks to AI images is likely to reduce the instances of people falling for deepfakes. Deepfakes are any type of realistic media that has been digitally generated using AI or enhanced using other digital tools with the intention to spread misinformation or mislead people. Notably, Google has clarified that if the edits made by Reimagine are too small, SynthID might not be added to the image. This will apply to scenarios such as a user changing the colour of a small flower in the background. Users can check whether the AI watermark has been added by opening the metadata. Source link #Google #Photos #Add #SynthID #Watermark #Images #Enhanced #Magic #Editor Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

*** orders Apple to let it access encrypted accounts: Washington Post *** orders Apple to let it access encrypted accounts: Washington Post People lined up outside of Apple Store on University Ave. in Palo Alto, California, United States on September 20, 2024 as Apple’s iPhone 16 sales officially begins. Tayfun Coskun | Anadolu | Getty Images The U.K. has ordered Apple to provide officials access to users’ encrypted accounts, the Washington Post reported Friday. Britain’s Home Office, which handles immigration and security, last month issued an order to Apple requiring a technical “*********” that would allow officials to view fully encrypted material uploaded to the cloud software, the Post reported, citing people familiar with the matter. “We do not comment on operational matters, including for example confirming or denying the existence of any such notices,” a Home Office spokesperson. Apple did not immediately respond to a CNBC request for comment. The iPhone maker gives users the ability to store all their photos, messages, documents and more on its encrypted iCloud service — Apple’s iCloud is end-to-end encrypted, meaning only the owner of the material can view it. Governments in the U.S., U.K. and EU have long expressed dissatisfaction with this setup, arguing it enables criminals, terrorists and sex offenders to conceal illicit activity. In the U.K., the Investigatory Powers Act of 2016 empowers the government to compel tech companies to weaken their encryption technologies through so-called “backdoors.” Tech firms — including Apple — have pushed back on attempts to undermine encryption, saying it would weaken user privacy. Click here to read the full story from the Washington Post. Source link #orders #Apple #access #encrypted #accounts #Washington #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Football Manager 25 Canceled After Multiple Delays, Dev Moves On To Next Game Football Manager 25 Canceled After Multiple Delays, Dev Moves On To Next Game Sports Interactive and ***** have announced that Football Manager 25 is canceled and will the developer will instead focus on their next release. The developer provided a lengthy explanation as to why Football Manager 25 was canceled. While many of the game’s areas hit the developer’s internal targets, the overarching player experience and interface weren’t up to standard. Through evaluations and playtesting, the development team was confident in a new direction, but the desired standards were ultimately still too far away. However, the team will take their learnings onto the next project. Sports Interactive regret to inform that, following extensive internal discussion and careful consideration with *****, we have made the difficult decision to cancel Football Manager 25. pic.twitter.com/tLRbq8305K — Football Manager (@FootballManager) February 7, 2025 “Each decision to delay the release was made with the aim of getting the game closer to the desired level but, as we approached critical milestones at the turn of the year, it became unmistakably clear that we would not achieve the standard required, even with the adjusted timeline,” Sports Interactive and ***** said in a statement. Football Manager 25 was already delayed twice from its original early November 2024 release to later that month, then again to March 2025. The developer considered delaying the game further and fixing it down the line via patches, but decided against that. Additionally, anything past a March release would’ve been too late into the football season to expect players to then buy another game later in the same year, presumably Football Manager 26. Those who’ve preordered the game are eligible for automatic refunds, which are expected to take place soon. Football Manager 24 will also not receive an update with 2024/2025 data as that would take away development resources from the studio’s next game. Football Manager 25 isn’t the only game to get canceled so far this year. The Celeste dev’s next game, Earthblade, was canceled last month, and Sony has canceled two live-service projects. Source link #Football #Manager #Canceled #Multiple #Delays #Dev #Moves #Game Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

*** orders Apple to let it access encrypted accounts: Washington Post *** orders Apple to let it access encrypted accounts: Washington Post People lined up outside of Apple Store on University Ave. in Palo Alto, California, United States on September 20, 2024 as Apple’s iPhone 16 sales officially begins. Tayfun Coskun | Anadolu | Getty Images The U.K. has ordered Apple to provide officials access to users’ encrypted accounts, the Washington Post reported Friday. Britain’s Home Office, which handles immigration and security, last month issued an order to Apple requiring a technical “*********” that would allow officials to view fully encrypted material uploaded to the cloud software, the Post reported, citing people familiar with the matter. “We do not comment on operational matters, including for example confirming or denying the existence of any such notices,” a Home Office spokesperson. Apple did not immediately respond to a CNBC request for comment. The iPhone maker gives users the ability to store all their photos, messages, documents and more on its encrypted iCloud service — Apple’s iCloud is end-to-end encrypted, meaning only the owner of the material can view it. Governments in the U.S., U.K. and EU have long expressed dissatisfaction with this setup, arguing it enables criminals, terrorists and sex offenders to conceal illicit activity. In the U.K., the Investigatory Powers Act of 2016 empowers the government to compel tech companies to weaken their encryption technologies through so-called “backdoors.” Tech firms — including Apple — have pushed back on attempts to undermine encryption, saying it would weaken user privacy. Click here to read the full story from the Washington Post. Source link #orders #Apple #access #encrypted #accounts #Washington #Post Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trudeau hosts Canada-U.S. economic summit amid tariff pause – National Trudeau hosts Canada-U.S. economic summit amid tariff pause – National The federal government is hosting a summit in Toronto Friday aimed at bolstering the economy in the face of Canada’s rapidly changing relationship with its largest trading partner. U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to impose sweeping tariffs this week has been put on pause until March 4. That looming threat and the volatility of his administration has many business and labour leaders urging Canada to look for alternative trading partners and ways to strengthen internal trade. The summit is being hosted by the government’s newly created advisory council on Canada-U.S. relations, and includes business and labour leaders, Indigenous leaders and public policy experts. Flavio Volpe, a member of the advisory council and president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association, says he hopes the meeting is just the start of something *******. Story continues below advertisement He says Canada is facing “the most serious industrial threat we’ve ever faced” and the moment calls for a collective effort similar to what happened in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It’s important that this isn’t a photo op, that this isn’t a talking-to session, that this isn’t the only time we get together,” he said. 0:58 What is a trade war, and what would it mean for Canada? Representatives from the Federation of ********* Municipalities and ********* Manufacturing and Exporters will attend, as will the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations. Get daily National news Get the day’s top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Drew Dilkins, the mayor of Windsor, Ont., said this kind of meeting can help ensure different levels of government and the private sector are “rowing in the same direction.” “Aligning on the facts is really important because what’s missing in this whole conversation, at least from my perspective on the U.S. side, is fact,” he said. Story continues below advertisement He and other border community mayors established the Border Mayors Alliance in response to the tariff threat to advocate on behalf of the cities that have the most to lose. But he said that kind of grassroots action only works if everyone understands the approach. Dilkins took part in a meeting of the Federation of ********* Municipalities’ Big City Mayors Caucus in Ottawa on Thursday, where tariffs and trade with the U.S. were the only topics. Trending Now Calgary woman fends off porch pirates in her bathrobe: ‘Adrenaline took over’ ‘Taxpayers can’t keep paying for this’: Thousands of RCMP vehicles destined for crusher 2:33 Mayors unite against looming US tariffs, prioritize local sourcing to shield ********* economies Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, in opening remarks at the event, reiterated the need for a “Team Canada” approach. He said the country is “doing more than just bracing ourselves, we’re convening provincial and territorial leaders to do the vital work of breaking down barriers that hamper interprovincial trade.” That is precisely what Dennis Darby, president and CEO of ********* Manufacturers and Exporters, said he wants to see in the long term. Story continues below advertisement Darby said he intends to tell the government that if tariffs are imposed, businesses and workers will need help in the form of direct government relief, tax relief or wage subsidies. Beyond that, he said, there are “structural problems within the ********* economy that need to be addressed.” They include the need to make it easier to move goods between provinces — trade that is undermined by a complicated regulatory environment — and to ensure Canada takes better advantage of its trade deals with other countries. “We’re always going to trade with the Americans, no question,” said Volpe. “Can we rely on them?” More on Canada More videos &copy 2025 The ********* Press Source link #Trudeau #hosts #CanadaU.S #economic #summit #tariff #pause #National Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

China blasts US as Panama quits Belt and Road Initiative – Al Jazeera English China blasts US as Panama quits Belt and Road Initiative – Al Jazeera English China blasts US as Panama quits Belt and Road Initiative Al Jazeera EnglishChina derides U.S. “pressure and coercion” as Panama scraps Belt and Road deal with Beijing amid canal standoff CBS NewsPanama’s president says there will be no negotiation about ownership of canal The Associated PressChina blames US ‘sabotage’ for Panama’s departure from Belt and Road initiative Reuters Source link #China #blasts #Panama #quits #Belt #Road #Initiative #Jazeera #English Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

Deliverance 2 Barely Including Any Mini-Game Was Due to a Key Reason Deliverance 2 Barely Including Any Mini-Game Was Due to a Key Reason In the wake of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2’s victorious launch, players have been losing themselves in a world where every muddy footprint and creaky door hinge feels like a window into medieval Bohemia. The game has already sold over a million copies in its first 24 hours, proving that players are hungry for more than just another fantasy RPG filled with magical card games and fishing mini-games. Enjoy this dice game, it might be the last one you find. | Image Credit: Warhorse Games Speaking of mini-games, some particularly observant fans have noticed something peculiar about Warhorse Studios’ latest masterpiece—the conspicuous absence of many traditional RPG diversions. While this might seem like an odd choice for a game that prides itself on its rich world, there’s actually a fascinating reason behind this decision. As it turns out, this wasn’t an oversight or a result of time constraints. Rather, it was a deliberate choice made by the development team, and the reasoning behind it offers an intriguing glimpse into the philosophy that shaped one of 2025’s (already) most talked-about games. Why Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 keeps mini-games to a mini-mum In an age where RPGs seem determined to distract you with endless side activities—seriously, who hasn’t experienced that awkward moment of asking a grieving father for a round of Gwent while his daughter’s missing?—Warhorse Studios took a refreshingly different approach. Their reasoning? Pure, unadulterated immersion. Speaking to GamesRadar+, senior game designer Ondřej Bittner explained the team’s philosophy: If there’s fishing, Henry is sitting on the river bank. Or if you’re playing dice, you’re actually sitting at the table and looking at the other person checking dice, and it takes forever—because if it didn’t, the immersion would be weaker. It’s a bold stance in today’s gaming landscape, where mini-games often feel shoehorned in just to pad out the content. But Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 isn’t interested in padding. Every feature has been ruthlessly evaluated through the lens of authenticity. All of these survival mechanics are there to remind you that Henry’s just a human. This laser focus on immersion extends far beyond just cutting mini-games. Every feature and mechanic in the game has been carefully considered through this lens, ensuring that nothing breaks the player’s connection to Henry’s medieval world. The result? A world that feels alive not because it’s stuffed with diversions, but because every interaction serves a purpose. It’s medieval life in all its muddy, complicated glory, without a card game in sight. A new standard for historical RPGs Turns out you don’t need card games to make history fun. | Image Credit: Warhorse Games In an industry where “historically inspired” often means “we googled some medieval paintings once,” Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 stands as a testament to what happens when developers refuse to compromise their vision. Perhaps this is why, since its February 4 release, the game has been drawing favorable comparisons to industry-heavyweight Larian Studios and their design philosophies. The numbers tell part of the story—a peak of 185,582 concurrent players on Steam alone (via SteamDB), nearly doubling its predecessor’s record. But raw statistics only scratch the surface of what Warhorse Studios has achieved here. What matters is if your individual sessions are individual enough. If a game is 150 hours and all of your sessions are the same, you’re gonna get bored. This philosophy shines through in every aspect of the game. Whether you’re haggling with a merchant who remembers that time you tried to shortchange him last week, or finding yourself in a pickle because you forgot to maintain your sword (again), each play session writes its own unique story. It’s this attention to detail and commitment to authenticity that has players already calling it their Game of the Year for 2025. In a world where many RPGs seem content to remix familiar formulas, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 dares to be different—and better for it. The game proves that you don’t need dragons, magic cards, or fishing mini-games to create an engaging medieval world. Sometimes, all you need is the courage to let history speak for itself—mud, grime, and all. What do you think about Warhorse Studios’ approach to immersion in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2? Do you miss having more mini-games, or do you appreciate the focus on maintaining the medieval atmosphere? Share your thoughts in the comments below! Source link #Deliverance #Barely #Including #MiniGame #Due #Key #Reason Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Sorry, you’re not getting Microsoft Edge off of your PC, at least according to its new ‘uninstall’ document Sorry, you’re not getting Microsoft Edge off of your PC, at least according to its new ‘uninstall’ document Microsoft Edge’s uninstall document promotes the browser over Google Chrome, without any actual removal instructions It features a checklist on supposed advantages over Google Chrome There’s no official way to uninstall Microsoft Edge, as the control panel only allows for a ‘repair’ It’s no surprise that Microsoft is making more attempts to shift PC users away from other browsers in favor of its own Edge option yet again – but its latest scheme could be a new low point. As spotted by Windows Latest, a new ‘uninstall document‘ was released by Microsoft, supposedly explaining how to remove Microsoft Edge from your PC, but surprisingly, it doesn’t. Instead, it compares Edge to Google Chrome with a checklist (pictured below) of features that it claims are available on Edge but not Chrome (which isn’t completely true) – essentially, it’s doing the opposite of what most people would expect a document about uninstalling an app to do.. It’s a shame that this comes after Microsoft’s well-received privacy updates for Chrome incognito mode, which is a huge positive for its users. However, it’s now hit a low with this ‘uninstall’ document that users won’t like at all. Microsoft already aggressively pushes Edge via pop-ups and ads in Windows 11, which many users consider to be invasive and annoying. Meanwhile, Chrome remains the most popular browser despite Microsoft’s boasts of Edge’s high user numbers in 2024, so it’s not a surprise that many may want to uninstall Edge. It shouldn’t come as a big surprise, since Microsoft has used numerous tactics to win users over to its browser – but this feels particularly disingenuous. (Image credit: Microsoft) Reminds me of membership cancellation pages… Trying to get rid of something, only instead to be bombarded with reasons for not getting rid of it, will feel awfully familiar to many people who have tried to cancel a subscription. Try to cancel your PlayStation Plus subscription, for example, and Sony will try to tempt you to stay with an offer on a 12-month premium subscription. Amazon is also notorious for this – if you try to cancel Prime, you have to click through multiple pages convincing you to stay – and it was actually sued for this, mainly because its marketing tactics were viewed as deceptive and coercive by the FTC (US Federal Trade Commission). So, Microsoft is far from the only company that is trying to change the minds of its customers wanting to ditch a product. However, there’s no denying that this move seems particularly strange – you’d expect a document which is supposed to give you instructions to uninstall a program to do just that, rather than the opposite by trying to get you to keep using it. It also feels a bit cheeky using the word ‘uninstall’ if there’s literally no way to officially uninstall Edge. Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Personally, I think that essentially forcing users to keep a program installed on their PCs will instead push them further away from using it. Saying one thing but doing another could come back to bite Microsoft… You may also like… Source link #youre #Microsoft #Edge #uninstall #document Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

7 Wonderfully-Sleepy Dividend Stocks Yielding Up to 14.1% 7 Wonderfully-Sleepy Dividend Stocks Yielding Up to 14.1% Worried about the next round of tariffs? Tech disruption from DeepSeek? The geopolitical landscape? All of the above? Fret not my contrarian friend—here are seven wonderfully-sleepy dividend stocks. They yield between 5% and 14.1% and we are discussing them today because all seven boast low betas. This means these shares move less than the overall market. An admirable quality when it comes to a dividend stock because we’re not here for the price drama, we’re here for the payout. Beta represents an investment’s volatility against a benchmark. Stock beta is typically benchmarked against the , aka “the market.” Beta is based around the number 1, so a stock with a beta equal to 1 moves with the market. If the S&P 500 is down 1%, we would expect this stock to be down one percent. A beta above 1 is more volatile than the market. Think . Our focus today is stocks with betas below one. If the S&P is down 1%, we expect these positions to be down 0.5% or 0.25% or so. Betas are based on historical price movements and are not future guarantees. But directionally they can be helpful to know. We can reasonably expect low-beta stocks to deliver smaller swings in price action. We can easily see this dynamic at work when comparing a traditional emerging-market fund (very volatile) versus a minimum-volatility EM fund: Lower Volatility Means a Much Smoother Ride That said, beta is not the end of our research. We also consider the fundamentals driving the profits (and payouts) of tomorrow. Let’s get into these seven low betas, starting with our “lowest” yield of 5% and working our way all the way up to 14.1%. Let’s start with aisle five. Consumer Staples Baking specialist Flowers Foods (NYSE:) (FLO, 5.0% yield), the company behind bread brands such as Nature’s Own, Dave’s Killer Bread, Wonder and Sunbeam, as well as snack brands including Tastykake and Mrs. Freshley’s. FLO’s business is predictable. Revenues have been in a larger uptrend for years; same goes for profits, though legal settlements tied to employee classifications took a big chunk out of the bottom line in 2023. And that consistency has led to a longer-term (five-year) beta of just 0.37, or roughly only a third as volatile as the market, while its one-year beta of negative 0.11 reflects a truly slow-moving stock that hasn’t been aligned with the market. Given the year the broader market has had, that’s not great. Flowers Marches to the Beat of Its Own Drum. But It’s a Lousy Beat. We could excuse some of the underperformance as investors keeping their assets away from stodgy defensive plays and chasing the market’s growth—FLO and the S&P 500 have been running almost inverse to each other for a couple of years now. But Flowers also has a problem with mismanaging expectations and has produced mostly in-line or disappointing earnings reports during its current downtrend. Conagra Brands (NYSE:) (CAG, 5.6% yield) has a similar volatility profile, with a low five-year beta of 0.27 and a slightly negative one-year beta. It’s befitting a staples stock—one with a wider business than Flowers, dealing with four different divisions: Grocery & Snacks, Refrigerated & Frozen, International, and Foodservice. As a result, it offers a more diverse product lineup that includes Birds Eye frozen vegetables, Marie Callender’s and Healthy Choice frozen meals, Duncan Hines baking mixes, Slim Jim meat sticks, Reddi-wip whipped cream and ******’s Boomchickapop popcorn, among others. The financial picture is much less promising here. Profits have dropped in each of the past three years, and 2024’s net income was only a bit more than a quarter of what it was in 2021. Worse, the top and bottom lines are pacing for another retreat in the current fiscal year. While the majority of its brands continue to hold or gain market share, expectations for increased inflation are holding back ConAgra, which guided down in December. CAG shares have long exemplified the “Dividend Magnet,” for better or worse. Unfortunately, after a few years of annual dividend raises, ConAgra has once again gone more than a year without hiking the payout—and it shows. The Dividend Magnet Is on Low-Power Mode Universal (NYSE:) has always stood out to me because it’s a useful oddball in a niche dividend space. Specifically, it’s a “picks and shovels” play in tobacco. Traditional tobacco stocks are names like Philip Morris (NYSE:) and Altria (NYSE:) that produce cigarettes and other tobacco products. However, Universal Corp. doesn’t produce finished products—it merely supplies the tobacco. Actually, it does much more—in addition to procuring and processing flue-cured, burley, dark air-cured, and oriental leaf tobacco, it also has an ingredients division (Universal Ingredients) and a “value-added agricultural business” (Universal Enterprises) that includes nicotine production, a lifecycle data solution and even a compost facility. There’s a decided lack of volatility in corporate financials and the dividend, which are growing, albeit slowly. But one- and five-year betas of 0.14 and 0.78 actually reflect shares that refuse to mirror the S&P 500 more than they reflect serene stock movement. Peaks and Valleys Are More Common Than You’d Expect Unfortunately, for the moment, UVV is hands-off. The company hasn’t released a quarterly earnings report since August—in November, it received a notice from the New York Stock Exchange that it was not in compliance for failing to report its quarter numbers and has six months to file its 10-Q. This largely stems from an internal investigation over allegations of embezzlement at a Mozambique subsidiary. Universal doesn’t believe it will have a material negative impact for the fiscal year, but even if we were considering getting our feet wet, the most prudent move would be to wait until the company is back in compliance. A Staples-Esque Consumer Play Amcor (NYSE:) is a cyclical play that often feels like it’s defensive. This Switzerland-headquartered firm makes a variety of packaging—everything from shrink bags for food to blister packaging for pharmaceutical pills to sachets for cosmetic samples—for consumer and healthcare companies. So, yes, consumer demand still plays a big role in Amcor’s fortunes, but not as acutely as consumer cyclical companies that specialize in, say, just making snacks, or just making drinks. Indeed, Amcor’s business line has enough financial stability that it boasts more than 40 years of consecutive dividend increases, putting it among the ranks of the Dividend Aristocrats—a title it picked up from the 2019 acquisition of Bemis. The problem? Amcor has been largely treading water for years. So yes, volatility has been low—its one- and five-year betas sit at 0.27 and 0.85, respectively—but so have its prospects. Indeed, it was largely looking toward aggressive cost cuts to improve its bottom line. Little Dividend Growth, Little Growth Growth But Amcor might very well have found a potential catalyst through another acquisition. It’s currently in the process of trying to merge with U.S. packaging manufacturer Berry Global (NYSE:), which Amcor hopes will drive volume growth through greater scale in existing categories, as well as entering new categories and geographies—not to mention the potential for synergies. Healthcare One of the highest-yielding low-beta stocks out there is Omega Healthcare Investors (NYSE:) (OHI, 7.1% yield), which sits at the intersection of healthcare and real estate. Specifically, it provides financing and capital solutions to skilled nursing facility and assisted living facility partners, with a portfolio of 962 properties in 42 states and the U.K. that are leased out to 81 different operators. Omega has turned around its fortunes over the past couple of years—a combination of an improved operational story and a much friendlier interest-rate environment. OHI Stands Out in a Struggling Real Estate Sector Its longer-term five-year beta isn’t all that low, at 0.97—roughly in line with the market. Its one-year beta is extremely low, at 0.20. Because while OHI has been jumpier than the real estate sector over the past year (as shown in the chart above), shares have been smooth compared to the rest of the market. In theory, its positioning in long-term care at a time when demographics are increasingly in its favor, as well as OHI’s triple-net lease structures, should put the wind on Omega’s back. However, I mentioned a few months ago that OHI looked frothy, and since then, the stock has pulled back sharply amid a broader pullback in real estate. The valuation has improved, with shares now trading hands at 13 times next year’s FFO estimates. Reasonable though not quite a bargain. “Flexible” Dividend Payers It’s not often that we see traditional energy operators throwing off very high yield and low beta. But independent oil-and-gas producer Chord Energy (NASDAQ:) (CHRD, 9.1% yield), which operates in the Big Sky’s Williston Basin, is an exception, with a 9%-plus yield, as well as one- and five-year average betas of 0.74 and 0.84, respectively—though the former is a little misleading. Chord’s Past Year: A Case of Low Beta, But Not Exactly Low Volatility The bad news first: Chord has been downright rotten over the past year, with weak oil prices hacking share prices down by a little less than 40% since they peaked in June 2024. But CHRD had some froth to work off following a 615% total return since the start of 2021 that more than tripled the energy sector in that time. Even including the past few months’ losses, it’s still up by roughly double. Still, Chord boasts a pristine balance sheet and generates strong free cash flow even amid lean oil prices. Moreover, it has one of the industry’s best free cash-flow (FCF) payout programs, bolstered by its merger with ********* E&P Enerplus (NYSE:). For at least the past few quarters, it has set return of capital (RoC) at 75% of FCF. That goes toward paying a base dividend of $1.25 per share (~4.5% yield); any additional free cash flow past that funds a variable dividend and/or share buybacks. CHRD is tactical about these expenditures. For instance, in the second quarter, RoC was set at $197 million, and Chord bought back roughly $62 million in shares while paying out a $1.27/share variable dividend. But in Q3, during which shares really started to tumble, RoC was set at $234 million, which included $146 million in buybacks (and the authorization of a new $750 million repurchase program) but a smaller 19-cent variable distribution. The downside? Yields can really fluctuate from year to year. But it’s hard to argue Chord doesn’t have shareholders’ best interests at heart. Low-beta dividends don’t get much ******* than International Seaways (NYSE:) (NSW, 14.1% yield), which owns and operates a fleet of 83 ocean vessels that transport and petroleum products. Currently, its fleet includes 38 Medium Range (MR) tankers, 14 Long Range 1s (LR1s), 13 Suezmaxes, 13 Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCCs), and five Long Range 2s (LR2s). International Seaways, like CHRD and OHI, are another example of how low beta can sometimes be deceiving. In INSW’s case, its five- and one-year betas are exceedingly low, at -0.11 and 0.14, respectively, but like many of its tanker brethren, this stock can really move. More importantly, this stock is about as tethered to its dividend as it gets. The Dividend Magnet’s Force Is Strong in This One Of course, that’s because International Seaways’ dividend is even more variable than Chord. INSW features a 12-cent quarterly distribution representing just 1.2% worth of yield—thus, the vast majority of this double-digit dividend is heavily reliant on business conditions, which naturally also dictate the ups and downs of the stock itself. It’s not ideal for retirement planners, but low beta and all, swing traders might be attracted to this mix of high potential upside and yield. Specifically, INSW boasts solid fundamentals, low capex and a low cash-flow breakeven, and if shipping rates rebound in 2025 as expected, that could be a potent combo. Disclosure: Brett Owens and Michael Foster are contrarian income investors who look for undervalued stocks/funds across the U.S. markets. Click here to learn how to profit from their strategies in the latest report, “7 Great Dividend Growth Stocks for a Secure Retirement.” Source link #WonderfullySleepy #Dividend #Stocks #Yielding Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content] For verified travel tips and real support, visit: [Hidden Content]

We go back to where it all began – Brexitcast We go back to where it all began – Brexitcast Adam, Laura, Chris and Faisal bring back Brexitcast for a night in the BBC Radio Theatre. Source link #began #Brexitcast Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh visit Nepal and view Attestation parade in Pokhara The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh visit Nepal and view Attestation parade in Pokhara The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have been meeting British Gurkhas during a trip to Nepal. They witnessed the annual attestation parade when 274 new recruits officially passed out and joined the British Army. The Band of the Brigade of Gurkhas led the march-out of the Parade, attended by family members of the new recruits who hail from across Nepal. (AP video by Yubraj Gurung) Source link #Duke #Duchess #Edinburgh #visit #Nepal #view #Attestation #parade #Pokhara Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Amazon ends year on strong note but forecasts weak upcoming quarter | Amazon Amazon ends year on strong note but forecasts weak upcoming quarter | Amazon Amazon outdid Wall Street’s expectations with its earnings from the fourth quarter of 2024 on Thursday but forecast a weak upcoming quarter. The retail giant ended the year on a strong note, reporting $187.79bn in revenue and $1.86 per share, beating analysts’ estimates of revenue of $187.3bn and share price at $1.49. The robust earnings take into account the strong holiday shopping season, which showed a 8.7% year-over-year surge of online spending in November and December, according to Adobe Analytics. In all, according to Adobe, consumers spent $241.1bn in those two months. “The holiday shopping season was the most successful yet for Amazon and we appreciate the support of our customers, selling partners, and employees who helped make it so,” Amazon’s CEO, Andy Jassy, said in a statement. Despite the better-than-expected results, Amazon fell below analyst estimates when it came to next quarter’s sales. The company said it expects sales to be between $151bn and $155.5bn, while analysts estimated $158.5bn. Shares fell in after-hours trading and then bounced back to the same price as the previous market close. Wall Street has appeared to appreciate the cost-cutting measures at Amazon over the past couple of years. Jassy has been working to tighten the belt by instituting layoffs and cuts across several departments. While 2024 had less layoffs than years past, the downsizing still appears to have had positive financial gains for Amazon’s bottom line. During Thursday’s earnings, Jassy applauded various new innovations centered on artificial intelligence at the company, including a new AI chip called the Trainium2. “These benefits are often realized by customers (and the business) several months down the road, but these are substantial enablers in this emerging technology environment,” Jassy said. Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s executive chairman, has also become friendlier with Donald Trump after years of acrimony. Amazon donated $1m to the president’s inaugural fund and Bezos sat in the front row as Trump was sworn in. skip past newsletter promotion A weekly dive in to how technology is shaping our lives Privacy Notice: Newsletters may contain info about charities, online ads, and content funded by outside parties. For more information see our Privacy Policy. We use Google reCaptcha to protect our website and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. after newsletter promotion Jassy has since followed Trump’s lead in cutting Amazon’s DEI efforts, and Bezos has ended support for his climate change and biodiversity fund. Source link #Amazon #ends #year #strong #note #forecasts #weak #upcoming #quarter #Amazon Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Amazon wants to spend $104 billion, and the stock gets clipped: What Wall Street is saying – Yahoo Finance Amazon wants to spend $104 billion, and the stock gets clipped: What Wall Street is saying – Yahoo Finance Amazon wants to spend $104 billion, and the stock gets clipped: What Wall Street is saying Yahoo FinanceDeepSeek Fails to Deter $325 Billion Gamble of the Century BloombergBig Tech lines up over $300bn in AI spending for 2025 Financial TimesAmazon plans to spend $100 billion this year to capture ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’ in AI CNBC Source link #Amazon #spend #billion #stock #clipped #Wall #Street #Yahoo #Finance Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Call to make tech firms report data centre energy use as AI booms | Artificial intelligence (AI) Call to make tech firms report data centre energy use as AI booms | Artificial intelligence (AI) Tech companies should be required by law to report the energy and water consumption for their data centres, as the ***** in AI risks causing irreparable damage to the environment, experts have said. AI is growing at a rate unparalleled by other energy systems, bringing heightened environmental risk, a report by the National Engineering Policy Centre (NEPC) said. The report calls for the *** government to make tech companies submit mandatory reports on their energy and water consumption and carbon emissions in order to set conditions in which data centres are designed to use fewer vital resources. “In recent years advances in AI systems and services have largely been driven by a race for size and scale, demanding increasing amounts of computational power,” said Prof Tom Rodden, the pro-vice-chancellor of research and knowledge exchange at the University of Nottingham, who was a member of the NEPC working group that delivered the study. “As a result, AI systems and services are growing at a rate unparalleled by other high-energy systems – and generally without much regard for resource efficiency. This is a dangerous trend, and we face a real risk that our development, deployment and use of AI could do irreparable damage to the environment.” Google and Microsoft have reported year on year increases in data centre water consumption since 2020, and many of these water withdrawals come from potable water sources. In its annual environmental sustainability report in 2023, Microsoft said it consumed 6.4m cubic metres of water in 2022, primarily for its cloud data centres – a 34% increase on the year before. Google said its data centres consumed 19.5m cubic metres of water in 2022, up 20%. There is no reliable data on the quantity of resources used by data centres. In order to make effective policy to reduce their energy consumption, the government needed to collect information at scale, the report said. Rodden said it was vital to monitor the environmental cost of AI. “Once we have access to trustworthy data pertaining to their environmental impacts, and a sense for where these services and systems are needed, we can begin to effectively target efficiency in development, deployment and use, and plan a sustainable AI future for the ***.” The report made recommendations to policymakers including the need to: Expand mandatory environmental reporting. Provide information on environmental impacts of AI systems. Set environmental sustainability requirements for data centres. And reconsider data collection, transmission, storage and management practices. Sarvapali (Gopal) Ramchurn, a professor of artificial intelligence at the University of Southampton and the chief executive of Responsible AI *** who was also on the NEPC working group, said: “AI’s use has surged in the past two years, aiding daily tasks and boosting productivity and innovation. However, many are unaware of the significant costs and environmental impacts … AI providers must be transparent about these effects. If we cannot measure it, we cannot manage it, nor ensure benefits for all. This report’s recommendations will aid national discussions on the sustainability of AI systems and the trade-offs involved.” Source link #Call #tech #firms #report #data #centre #energy #booms #Artificial #intelligence Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Super Bowl 2025: Kansas City Chiefs v Philadelphia Eagles preview Super Bowl 2025: Kansas City Chiefs v Philadelphia Eagles preview Watch out for Mahomes the runner The Eagles defence will be swarming all over Mahomes, but they have to be careful not to get too aggressive and allow him to wriggle free because he is a lethal scrambler in the play-offs. Mahomes is not especially quick, but he is nimble, and what makes him dangerous is that on broken plays his telepathy with tight end Kelce is so good that defenders never know if he will attempt an ambitious throw or tuck and run. He proved the difference against the Buffalo Bills, with two rushing touchdowns and ran for seven first downs in the play-offs to keep drives alive. Although he threw three touchdowns against Philadelphia in their previous Super Bowl meeting, his late 26-yard scramble was crucial to the Chiefs winning – and that was on a bad ankle. The battle of the defensive monsters The big names on offence get all the headlines, but there are two defensive big beasts playing in the Super Bowl on each defensive line that could decide this game. Kansas City’s Chris Jones and Philadelphia’s Jalen Carter can both wreck a game from anywhere along the defensive line and, although they may not have gaudy sack numbers, they often pop up in big moments and exert telling pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Jones in particular attracts double teams, which can make space for others – but ultimately one of these two players battling in the trenches could have the telling defensive play of the game. Source link #Super #Bowl #Kansas #City #Chiefs #Philadelphia #Eagles #preview Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Popular bar and eatery Due South in Albany evacuated after smell of smoke sparks call to emergency services Popular bar and eatery Due South in Albany evacuated after smell of smoke sparks call to emergency services About 20 people, including staff and customers, were evacuated from Due South on Friday as a strong smell of smoke from the popular restaurant’s roof sparked concern. Source link #Popular #bar #eatery #Due #South #Albany #evacuated #smell #smoke #sparks #call #emergency #services Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Take-Two talks Nintendo Switch 2, indicates it will support the console Take-Two talks Nintendo Switch 2, indicates it will support the console gold_drake21h ago(Edited 21h ago) the switch 2 is in a very interesting position on one hand, making it more expensive is a bad idea on the other … seeing how well their first party games sell? i dunno. maybe nintendo is banking on that fact. cause nintendo is definitely in a very different position than back then with the wii u; much better. Source link #TakeTwo #talks #Nintendo #Switch #support #console Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Global Tablet Shipments Rebounded in 2024 as Apple Retains Top Spot: Report Global Tablet Shipments Rebounded in 2024 as Apple Retains Top Spot: Report Global tablet shipments rose to 148 million units in 2024, according to a Canalys report, marking a 9 percent increase over the previous year. After three years of decline, the tablet market appears to be growing, and Apple retained its position at the top with 56.9 million units shipped and a 38.6 percent market share. The next four positions were taken by Samsung, Lenovo, Huawei, and Xiaomi, in the same order. Amazon, which was in fifth place a year ago, was reportedly displaced by the ******** smartphone maker. Apple’s iPad Shipments Grew 5.3 Percent in FY 2024 According to the Canalys PC Market Pulse for 2024, shipments for tablets grew by 9 percent last year, with over 147.6 million units shipped. Shipments in Q4 2024 rose 5.6 percent, reaching 39.9 million units. The shipments of tablets have finally increased, after three consecutive years of decline, the market research firm says in its report. Global tablet shipments between 2016 and 2024 Photo Credit: Canalys Apple shipped 56.9 million iPad units and led the market last year, with a 38.6 percent market share. The company’s sales in Q4 were boosted by the launch of its latest iPad Air and iPad Pro models. Samsung was in second place at 18.8 percent, after shipping 27.8 million tablets. Huawei and Lenovo both shipped 10.4 million units, but the former had a 7.3 percent market share, while the latter’s was slightly lower at 7.1 percent. Xiaomi unseated Amazon from the list of top five brands, shipping 9.2 million tablets, and bringing its market share to 6.2 percent. The ******** smartphone brand grew 73.1 percent in 2024, allowing it to replace Amazon among the top brands in Canalys’ report. The research firm also highlights efforts taken by ******** tablet manufacturers to hold on to (or increase) their market share in the country. For example, the Xiaomi Pad 7 Pro was launched in Q4 2024, while Honor has introduced ‘bundling’ offers in the ***, according to the report. “Consumer tablets are set for a more constrained performance this year, but there will be pockets of opportunity for vendors to target,” said Himani Mukka, Research Manager at Canalys. The market analysis firm says 52 percent of surveyed channel partners said they expect commercial tablet shipments to increase over the course of this year. Source link #Global #Tablet #Shipments #Rebounded #Apple #Retains #Top #Spot #Report Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump received morbid gift from Israel’s Prime Minister during White House visit Trump received morbid gift from Israel’s Prime Minister during White House visit President Donald Trump received a golden beeper from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his White House visit Tuesday — in a nod to the deadly attack on Hezbollah operatives last year that also killed children and healthcare workers. Trump received the gift from Netanyahu Tuesday, the Associated Press reports, the same day he claimed the U.S. plans to “take over Gaza.” As he accepted the gift, Trump responded, “That was a major operation,” an unidentified Israeli official told the AP. The golden pager’s screen reads, “Press with both hands.” Below the pager, which is set against a wooden background, is a plaque that reads: “To President Donald J. Trump, Our greatest friend and ally. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.” Pictures of the gift appeared in various media outlets Thursday, including CNN. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu gifted President Donald Trump a golden beeper on Tuesday, in a nod to the deadly attacks on Hezbollah operatives last year (Israel Government Press Office) Last September, Israeli officials orchestrated an operation to explode thousands of pagers and walkie-talkies used by Hezbollah operatives in Lebanon and Syria over two days. The attacks killed 39 people and injured more than 3,400, according to Reuters. Two young children — an eight-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy — and four healthcare workers were among those killed, the BBC reports. The attacks were orchestrated by the Israeli spy agency Mossad, CBS News reports, and Netanyahu’s spokesperson confirmed in December the prime minister green-lit the pager operation. The devices were covertly sold to Hezbollah over many years, the outlet reports. Israeli officials briefed the U.S. after the attack, PBS News reports. The pager attacks killed 39 — including two children — and over 3,000 in Lebanon and Syria over two days. (EPA) In return, Trump gave Netanyahu a signed photograph of the two of them, according to a photo on Instagram posted by the Israeli PM’s son, Yair. “To Bibi, A great leader!,” Trump’s signature read. Netanyahu was the first foreign leader invited to the White House since Trump’s second term began. During their meeting, Trump said the U.S. “will take over the Gaza Strip,” prompting immediate backlash from lawmakers and world leaders. Saudi Arabia said it “unequivocally rejected” the forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, while U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Palestinians “must be allowed home.” French and ******* officials also said that any such movement of Palestinians would violate international law. Representative Al Green, a Democrat from Texas, even said he plans to submit impeachment articles against Trump over the remarks. The Independent has contacted the White House for comment. Source link #Trump #received #morbid #gift #Israels #Prime #Minister #White #House #visit Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Trump to meet Japan's Ishiba as China trade war simmers – Reuters Trump to meet Japan's Ishiba as China trade war simmers – Reuters Trump to meet Japan’s Ishiba as China trade war simmers ReutersJapan’s Ishiba makes a whirlwind Washington trip to try to forge a personal connection with Trump The Associated PressJapan’s Prime Minister Will Seek to Preserve Status Quo at Summit With Trump The New York TimesDonald Trump and Japan’s Ishiba Shigeru make for an odd couple The Economist Source link #Trump #meet #Japan039s #Ishiba #China #trade #war #simmers #Reuters Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Darlington stepdad jailed for murdering 22-month-old boy Darlington stepdad jailed for murdering 22-month-old boy Family handout Charlie Roberts died in hospital a day after being injured at his home A man who murdered his partner’s 22-month-old son has been jailed for at least 25 years. Christopher Stockton, 38, claimed Charlie Roberts choked on a biscuit at their Darlington home in January 2024, but doctors quickly deduced the toddler had been fatally shaken. Stockton was jailed for life with a minimum term at Teesside Crown Court after being found guilty of ******* and abusing Charlie in the months before the boy’s death. Charlie’s mum Paula Roberts, 41, who wanted her son to call Stockton “daddy”, was jailed for four years having admitted neglect by failing to get him medical treatment for previous injuries. Stockton and Roberts started a relationship in early 2023 and he moved into her home on Frosterley Drive just seven days before Charlie was fatally injured, the ******* trial heard. Family and nursery staff noticed suspicious bruises on Charlie in the months before his death but, other than installing a spy camera in her son’s bedroom, Roberts took no further action, the court was told. Durham Police Christopher Stockton was found guilty of ******* and child cruelty Stockton had been in sole charge of Charlie for just 18 minutes on the morning of 12 January when he called 999 to say the boy had gone “floppy” and was struggling to breathe. Stockton was so calm on the call that a Great North Air Ambulance medic thought it was a hoax, the court heard, with the killer claiming he was too unwell to perform CPR on Charlie as he was struggling with pneumonia at the time. He claimed Charlie had choked on a biscuit while playing in a toy tunnel in their living room, but medical staff were immediately suspicious. Watch Darlington killer tell police about boy’s fall Scans at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary revealed Charlie had catastrophic bleeding in his brain which led to his death the next day. Pathologists concluded he had been deliberately violently shaken or had his head struck with severe force. Prosecutor Nicholas Lumley KC previously told jurors Stockton had “little patience” for Charlie, while Roberts was prepared to “overlook” her boyfriend’s actions to “keep him in her life”. Durham Police Charlie Roberts was encouraged to call Christopher Stockton “daddy” Roberts had initially denied any wrongdoing but, partway through the trial, admitted child cruelty through the wilful neglect of Charlie by failing to get him medical treatment for injuries to his ear and genitals in the weeks before his death. Her barrister Richard Herrmann said she had the “wool pulled over her eyes” by Stockton and “did not believe” he was hurting her son. Stockton told her Charlie was hurt in accidents, such as falling out of bed, but Roberts admitted she was at fault by not getting her son medical treatment regardless of how she believed he had sustained the “excruciating” injuries, the court heard. Family handout Police said Charlie Roberts’ life was cruelly cut short Mr Herrmann said Roberts had multiple contacts with childcare professionals and social workers but none of them raised any concerns. Darlington Borough Council investigated after Charlie was taken to hospital with an injury in the summer of 2023, but they concluded it was not suspicious, Mr Herrmann said. He also said Roberts reviewed the footage captured on the bedroom camera but “saw nothing” to cause her to worry. Mr Herrmann said Roberts accepted if she had acted differently her son may still be alive, adding that was a “very significant cross to bear for the rest of her life”. Source link #Darlington #stepdad #jailed #murdering #22monthold #boy Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Diablo 4 devs promise better quality of releases as they are acutely aware of broken features Diablo 4 devs promise better quality of releases as they are acutely aware of broken features Adam Fletcher writes: “It’s super unfortunate as some knock-ons occurred. Quality of releases has been a big topic and something the team is acutely aware they need to be better at. It won’t be overnight but its one of the big things a lot of focus will be on.” Source link #Diablo #devs #promise #quality #releases #acutely #aware #broken #features Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Australia monster Sri Lanka on day two in Galle Australia monster Sri Lanka on day two in Galle AUSTRALIA V SRI LANKA Day two of the second Warne-Muralidaran Trophy Test match in Galle, Sri Lanka SCORE: Sri Lanka 257, Australia 3-330 SUMMARY: Sri Lanka were all out for 257 half an hour after the restart with Kusal Mendis (85no) their most prolific batter. Out-of-sorts Marnus Labuschagne (4) again missed out as Australia wobbled to 2-37, and then to 3-91 when Usman Khawaja was trapped lbw. But centurions Steve Smith (120no) and Alex Carey (139no) partnered in an unbeaten 239-run partnership for the fourth wicket that put Australia on course for a series whitewash. THE MOMENT: When he split the fielders with a trademark sweep, Carey brought up his second Test century to help Australia pile on the pain. The wicketkeeper played a chanceless innings batting out of position and will have silenced any suggestions Josh Inglis could be coming for his job as Test gloveman. He is yet to be dismissed this series and has passed his previous high score of 111, made against South Africa in late 2022. THE PLAYER: Steve Smith is back to his brilliant best. The 35-year-old came in when Australia were in serious trouble at 2-37 and made a fourth century from five Tests as he batted out the day. Smith has made tons in both matches this series, leading from the front replacing Pat Cummins as captain. THE STAT: Spin master Smith has now scored the most Test centuries for any *********** in Asia, overtaking Allan Border with his seventh ton on the continent. He is now also Australia’s top run-scorer in Asia, overtaking Ricky Ponting (1,889) just after lunch with 1,983 runs and counting. Source link #Australia #monster #Sri #Lanka #day #Galle Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

The US draws a ‘red line’ over including Hezbollah in Lebanon’s government, new envoy says The US draws a ‘red line’ over including Hezbollah in Lebanon’s government, new envoy says BEIRUT (AP) — A newly appointed U.S. envoy said Friday that she hoped Lebanese authorities are committed to making sure that the Hezbollah militant group is not a part of the new government in any form. Morgan Ortagus, a former State Department spokesperson and U.S. Navy Reserves officer, recently assumed the role of deputy special envoy for Middle East peace in Donald Trump’s administration, replacing Amos Hochstein, who helped broker the ceasefire that ended the 14-month war between Israel and Hezbollah. “We are grateful to our ally Israel for defeating Hezbollah,” Ortagus said in a press conference, following a meeting with Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun. “It is thanks to the Lebanese President Aoun and the Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam and everyone in this government who is committed to an end of corruption, who is committed to reforms and who is committed to making sure that Hezbollah is not a part of the new government in any form. Trusted news and daily delights, right in your inbox See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. “We have set clear red lines from the United States that (Hezbollah) won’t be able to terrorize the Lebanese people and that includes by being a part of the government,” she added. Lebanese parliamentarians named Nawaf Salam, a diplomat and former judge at the International Court of Justice, as prime minister-designate, tasking him with forming a government in a country that has been in caretaker mode since 2022. Despite Salam’s stated commitment to forming a government, progress has stalled. Lebanon’s sectarian power-sharing system allocates key positions among Christian, Shiite and Sunni factions, with dominant blocs — Hezbollah and the Amal Movement for the Shiites, and the Lebanese Forces for the Christians — insisting on their share of ministerial portfolios. Meanwhile, under the ceasefire agreement, the deadline for Israel’s troop withdrawal from southern Lebanon, initially set for Jan. 26, was extended to Feb. 18, while Hezbollah must retreat north of the Litani River — which serves as the boundary for a zone free of non-state armed groups. Lebanese army troops and U.N. peacekeepers are to deploy in the area, but Israel has accused Lebanon of slow deployment, while Lebanon claims Israel’s delayed pullout has hindered its progress. The ceasefire is overseen by a U.S.-led International Monitoring and Implementation Mechanism, comprising representatives from Israel, Lebanon, France, and the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). Still, Lebanon has accused Israel of committing hundreds of ceasefire violations. During Aoun and Ortagus’s meeting, an Israeli airstrike targeted Sidon province, well north of the Litani River. It was not immediately clear what was hit, and the Israeli army did not immediately comment. On Thursday evening, the Israeli military said it had struck “two military sites containing Hezbollah weapons, in violation of the ceasefire agreement.” No casualties were reported from Friday’s strike or from the series of airstrikes that hit eastern and southern Lebanon on Thursday. Source link #draws #red #line #including #Hezbollah #Lebanons #government #envoy Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]

Apple will reportedly announce a new iPhone SE next week Apple will reportedly announce a new iPhone SE next week In just few days, Apple could finally unveil a new iPhone SE. According to Bloomberg, the company will announce its latest lower-cost model as soon as next week before it goes on ***** later this month. The last iPhone SE was released back in 2022, and the publication says that Apple Stores have been running low on stocks in recent weeks. A few days ago, a Twitter user who goes by “Majin Bu” posted a video of a device that’s supposedly Apple’s upcoming low-cost iPhone model. Unlike the current version, it no longer has a home button marking the death of a feature that once identified the company’s mobile devices. The upcoming iPhone SE will reportedly have a camera notch at the top, which Apple had removed from its latest phones in favor of its Dynamic Island design. It’s also expected to have a USB-C port, which will allow Apple to sell it in the European Union, where all mobile devices are required to have USB-C charging capability. Apple had to stop selling the 2022 version and the iPhone 14 in the region late last year when the rule came into effect. Bloomberg previously reported that the new iPhone SE will be the first Apple device to use the company’s in-house cellular modem, replacing the Qualcomm chips it’s been using up until now. The phone is also expected to have Face ID and Apple Intelligence, made possible by the company’s A18 processor. The publication’s sources said Apple isn’t likely to hold a launch event for the device and will simply just start selling it on its website. At launch, the older version carried a retail price of $429, but that was two years ago — you can probably expect the new model with its more modern specs to cost a bit more. Source link #Apple #reportedly #announce #iPhone #week Pelican News View the full article at [Hidden Content]